IRIDIUM 159 (43578)

COSPAR: 2018-061K | Alt Name: Iridium Next SV159

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

July 25, 2018

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC4E

Launch Vehicle

Falcon 9

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

43578

International Designator

2018-061K

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:29:26 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

86.39°

Right Ascension

49.67°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

84.44°

Period

100.40 min

Mean Motion

14.34 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot

3D Visualization

Basic Satellite Info

Name

IRIDIUM 159

Alternative Name

Iridium Next SV159

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

IRIDS

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 43578U 18061K   26185.02044512  .00000056  00000-0  12766-4 0  9990

2 43578  86.3944  49.6662 0002217  84.4412 275.7036 14.34218010415791

Source: Celestrak

Summary

IRIDIUM 159, also known as Iridium Next SV159, is a communication and traffic monitoring satellite operated by IRIDS (Iridium LLC). Launched on July 25, 2018, from AFWTR SLC4E using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle, it has a design lifetime of 10 years with plans for an extended life up to 15 years. The satellite is based on the EliteBus configuration and measures 3.1 meters in length, 1.5 meters in diameter, and spans 9.4 meters when its solar arrays are deployed. It weighs approximately 700 kg dry and had a launch mass of 860 kg. Equipped with L-band payload, Ka-band cross-links, downlinks, ADS-B payload, and an AIS-receiver, it supports communication services and traffic monitoring. The satellite's power is provided by two deployable solar arrays and batteries, while its shape consists of a half hexagonal prism with two pans. Manufactured by NGISGA (Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems), IRIDIUM 159 continues the Iridium constellation's mission to provide global communication services.

Physical Characteristics

Length

3.1

Diameter

1.5

Span

9.4

Dry Mass

700

Launch Mass

860

Shape

Half Hex Prism+2 pan

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Iridium Next SV159

Purpose

Communication, traffic monitoring

Mission

Communication, traffic monitoring

Manufacturer

NGISGA

Life Expectancy

10 years (design), 15 years (planned)

Bus

EliteBus

Configuration

ELiTeBus-1000

Motor

Equipment

L-band payload, Ka-band cross-links, Ka-band downlinks, ADS-B payload, AIS-receiver (on 58 satellites)

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

This tool will help you track the satellite's position and predict its upcoming passes over your location. Simply input the coordinates or click the geolocation button to get started.

Latitude

Longitude

Next Pass

Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)

Start Azimuth

Max Elevation

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Time Until

Pass Duration

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